Press Releases
Looking for more press releases? Explore our full press release archive by date to access past announcements, news updates, and media releases published on Cook Islands Travel Daily.

Pacific Marine Tourism Guidelines Set to Support Sustainable Tourism Practices
The Pacific Marine Tourism Guidelines is being developed through a collaboration between the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme and the Pacific Tourism Organisation to inform the sustainable development and management of...

Exploring the Pacific on a Budget: The Cook Islands
Are you dreaming of a tropical escape to the Pacific, but worried about the costs? Look no further than the stunning Cook Islands! Nestled in the heart of the Pacific, the Cook Islands offer a perfect mix of natural beauty, rich culture, and...

Cook Islands and American Samoa affirms Commitment to Improving Regional Tourism
The Cook Islands and American Samoa affirmed their commitment to being part of the regional sustainable tourism cohesion as they signed the Pacific Leader’s Sustainable Tourism Commitment at the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Leadership Summit in the...

Regenerative Tourism in the centre of Cook Island’s Tourism Offering
The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation is committed to integrating sustainable and regenerative tourism into the country’s visitor experiences. A pilot programme for regenerative travel experience is currently in place with the goal to ensure that...

George Mateariki (‘Birdman George’) is Cook Islands’ Sustainability Champion
George Mateariki (mostly known as ‘Birdman George’) offers education tours of endangered bird species that include the Rarotongan Flycatcher (Kakerori) and the endangered Rimatara Lorikeets. George is a volunteer at the Takitumu Conservation Area...

Pacific Tourism Organisation Partners with Papua New Guinea Tourism to Drive Data Excellence for Sustainable Development
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) in collaboration with the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) conducted a week-long in-country workshop (May 13-17) focused on data initiatives and the Digital Measurement and Benchmarking...

Cook Islands and Vanuatu Announce COVID-19 Restriction Free Travel
Home Cook Islands and Vanuatu Announce COVID-19 Restriction Free Travel The Cook Islands and Vanuatu have joined Fiji, New Caledonia, Tahiti, and Papua New Guinea in lifting all COVID-19 travel restrictions to international travel and tourism in...

Visitor Spending Increased Despite Fewer Visitor Arrivals in June 2025
Posted on Jul 31, 2025 in News For Immediate Release: July 31, 2025 HONOLULU—According to preliminary statistics from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), there were 857,102 total visitors to the Hawaiian Islands...

Sustainable tourism regional consultations testament to Pacific partnerships in action
24 May 2024, Nadi Fiji – The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) has reaffirmed its commitment to implement elements of the Pacific 2030 Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework, which provides the vision, policies and...

Fall Deeper in Love in the Cook Islands
A perfect tropical paradise getaway is certainly the greatest way to preserve and hold on to that special bond you share with your significant other. And what better place to spend precious time together than in the Pacific! Were you looking for...

Finland Charges Oil Tanker Team After Undersea Cable Damage
(MENAFN) Finland's deputy prosecutor general has formally charged the captain and two officers of the oil tanker Eagle S with aggravated vandalism and aggravated interference with telecommunications, following extensive damage to undersea cables...

FestPAC participation vital for tourism sector
Solomon Islands’ participation at regional festivals such as the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) and Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest) is vital for the country’s tourism industry. This was highlighted by the Director of...

Pacific Resort Hotel Group Receives Prestigious Nomination for 2024 World Travel Awards
Pacific Resort Hotel Group receives nominations across all four properties. World Travel Awards serve to acknowledge rewards and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry. Pacific Resort Hotel Group (PRHG),...

Buyer Registrations Close for South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) 2024
Today, the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) announced the successful closure of buyer registrations for the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) 2024, with an impressive turnout of seventy international travel buyers from Europe, Japan, the...

Unlocking the Potential of Pacific Marine Tourism: Paving the Way Forward with Innovative Guidelines
The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) are advancing efforts on a transformative journey to shape the future of marine tourism in the Pacific. Commencing...

Tourism Industry Affected by Maui Wildfires in August 2023
Posted on Sep 28, 2023 in News For Immediate Release: September 28, 2023 HONOLULU—According to preliminary statistics from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), a total of 769,163 visitors came to the Hawaiian...

Pacific Tourism Organisation Unveils Ground-breaking Data Training Program in Solomon Islands
In a significant milestone, the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) launched the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI) and introduced the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Indicators Framework training in the Solomon Islands in February. Spearheaded by...

Pacific Tourism Organisation Champions Data-Driven Tourism Growth in Tonga
In a collaborative effort to enhance the capabilities of Tonga Tourism, the Tongan Government ministries, and the Statistics Department, around 20 participants are engaging in a five-day training organized by the Pacific Tourism Organisation...

New Caledonian Contingent Confirmed for Tourism Meetings in the Cook Islands
Home New Caledonian Contingent Confirmed for Tourism Meetings in the Cook Islands The Pacific Tourism Organisation welcomes confirmation that Honourable Mickael Forrest, Minister of International Tourism Development of New Caledonia, will lead New...

Secure Your Spot at the South Pacific Tourism Exchange 2024!!
Tourism operators and stakeholders can now register for the 8th South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) to convene in Nadi, Fiji, from May 4th – 5th, 2024. Breaking the tradition of being hosted in Australia and New Zealand for the past seven years,...